By FELICITY DARVILLE

When it comes to diplomatic relations between countries, it is most often left to governments to conduct. But it doesn’t have to be. people-to-people relations are some of the most important - as the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation can attest to. In this case, it was the friendly invitation of an ambassador to visit his country that opened up a whole new world of diplomatic relations between The Bahamas and China.

In early 2004, the then Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), HE Ma Shuxue, invited Mr Joseph R Curry, former Foreign Service Officer and Desk Officer for China, to consider assisting in the formation of a China Friendship Association in The Bahamas. After discussions between them, Mr Curry agreed in principle to do so. Ambassador Ma also invited Ron Pinder, then Member of Parliament for the Marathon Constituency, to consider the same, and he agreed as well.

This invitation would blossom into one of the most vibrant associations for foreign relations in the country, The Bahamas China Friendship Association (BCFA), now celebrating its 20th year of existence (September 29).

It’s a milestone that current president Donovan Moxey is determined to celebrate in grand style. Recently, the BCFA hosted a successful calligraphy event. It was a merging of cultures as attendees had the opportunity to learn how to write popular Bahamian colloquial phrases in Mandarin calligraphy. It was lots of fun and thoroughly enjoyed by all.

The 20th anniversary sparked reflections from some of the people who were instrumental in the formation of the BCFA.

Ambassador Joseph Curry recalls: “In May 2004, Ambassador Ma and the Chinese Embassy arranged for Mr Pinder and I to attend the Latin American-Caribbean Federation of Friendship Associations with China Conference, held in Bogota, Columbia. All countries in Latin America and the Caribbean with diplomatic relations with China had individual Friendship Associations at that time, except The Bahamas. From that successful visit to the conference, it was agreed to establish The Bahamas-China Friendship Association.”

Ambassador Ma provided a list of names to Mr Curry, whom he considered “friends of China” to form the first executive team for the Association. These included: HE Sir Arthur Foulkes; Brian Wong; Anthony McKinney; Philip Simon; Anthony Capron; Lowell Mortimer; Anthony McKinney; Marlon Johnson; and Carey Leonard. As Ambassador Foulkes was the former Ambassador to China, Mr Curry invited him to become the founding president, offering himself as founding vice president. Ambassador Foulkes declined the invitation to be president but indicated that he would be pleased to serve as its founding vice president. Sir Arthur wanted to encourage young people to lead in such positions, and agreed to support Mr Curry for the position of president. As the sole person of that group to have attended the conference, Mr Curry agreed to become the founding president.

Sir Arthur reflected on the significance of the organisation: “It is important for us as a small country to establish ties with countries like China, which has a growing influence in the world. It is an old civilization, and there is a lot we can learn from them. The Bahamas also has a lot of value, and there are things other countries can learn from us.”

“We know that governments establish relations with governments,” Sir Arthur, now 96, told me.

“It’s even better when people of one country get to know the people of another country and make bonds of friendship.”

“Cultural exchanges and educational exchanges are a great way to establish friendships. A number of Bahamians got education in China (thanks to the BCFA).”

Sir Arthur added: “It allows young people to get a wider perspective of the world. We live close to a very powerful cultural colossus. We tend to think that’s the world. We must not allow ourselves to be blinded.”

“For young Bahamians, travelling and forming bonds of friendship with young people from other countries will give them a better appreciation of the world in which they live. They have to get away from the tv. There’s so much more out there. I am glad when I see Bahamians being educated in places around the world. They learn about those people - the history, the culture, and in some cases, they learn a new language. We are one people on this planet. We have to stop the wars and learn to live together and appreciate each other.”

As a young person, his life was impacted by a friendship he made with another young man, showing how formidable the Bahamian/ Chinese friendship could be. It was right in The Tribune’s press room where the friendship was kindled. Sir Arthur and his friend William Wong both worked together in the press room of this newspaper. Sir Arthur went on to become an influential statesman, and Mr Wong went on to form his own company, Wong’s Rubber Stamp and Printing Company Ltd. Sir Arthur is confident that more friendships like these were established, thanks to the scholarships that allowed young Bahamians to study in China.

Although he feels more could always be done, he commended Ambassador Curry for the work he did as founding president of the BCFA, for the work being done by current president Dr Donovan Moxey, and for all who came in between.

At the BCFA’ s first meeting on September 29, 2004, held at the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce office, Shirley Street, the following individuals were elected as its founding executives: Joseph R Curry, president; HE Arthur R Foulkes, vice president; Philip Simon, secretary; Anthony McKinney, treasurer; Marlon Johnson, assistant secretary; Anthony Capron, public relations director; Brian Wong - trustee; Lowell Mortimer - trustee; and Carey Leonard - trustee.

“It was a honour to be a part of the founding members 20 years ago,” said Philip Simon.

“It’s hard to believe it’s been that long actually. The intent at the time (and to this day) was really laid out in the core objectives to promote cultural and economic opportunities between our two countries. As executive director of The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce at the time, we also saw it as an avenue to create opportunities for business exchange. Many recognised the significance of China on the global production stage, but still saw it as a far away, mysterious place. We wanted to change that - in both directions.”

The system of friendship associations globally has two additional elements:

1. There is an Honorary President who is always the Head of State. In this case and at that time, HE Dame Ivy Dumont, Governor General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. This is intended to give prominence to the association.

2. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has a representative as an ex-officio Member of the Executive Board. In this case and at that time, Philip Miller, under secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This is intended to compliment the work of the association and ensuring that it was aware of happenings in the diplomatic relations between The Bahamas and China and vice versa, for the BCFA to keep the ministry informed of its work. The executives immediately went to work introducing a number of programmes and initiatives, with the support of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China and Ambassador Ma Shuxue.

The BCFA wishes to pay tribute to HE Ma Shuxue who is credited with introducing the Friendship Association to The Bahamas and supporting its efforts in its early years. Members also wish to thank all Ambassadors of the People’s Republic of China to The Bahamas who likewise supported the association. Thanks also to all former Governors-General for their support of the association as Honorary Presidents. HE Governor General Cynthia A Pratt is the current honorary president of the BCFA. The support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also noted in advancing and guiding the initiatives of the Association.

Gearing up to the actual anniversary on September 29, an amazing opportunity exists for Bahamian small and medium-sized businesses. A contingent will engage in a Trade Mission to the popular Canton Fair (Guangzhou), Yiwu. This event will put Bahamian businesses in touch with more than 75,000 stores and suppliers in China.

Businesses who take the tour with the BCFA will visit five commercial districts, speaking directly to suppliers and negotiating deals that will grow their business. They will also benefit from a partnership for shipping and logistics from China to The Bahamas. Two phases of the tour will be held from October 15 to 26. For more information, visit www.bcfa242.com.